The perfect tense - when to use it

An explanation of the uses of the perfect tense and how to conjugate it

The perfect tense is used to talk about a completed action or something that has happened recently. Here are some examples:

  • He terminado mis exámenes (I have finished my exams).
  • Hemos hecho nuestros deberes (We have done our homework).
  • Han llegado temprano (They have arrived early).

Here are some expressions that are often used with the perfect tense:

  • últimamente (lately)
  • recientemente (recently)
  • nunca (never)
  • ya (already, yet)
  • todavía no (not yet)

For example:

  • Nunca he visitado el museo (I have never visited the museum).
  • Recientemente, he estado enfermo (I have been ill recently).